FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2019, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., speaks at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa. If there’s a place where Democrat Michael Bennet’s low-key approach to the presidential contest would resonate, it would seem to be Iowa. But even here, the Colorado senator is running into the realities of modern campaigning, where the candidate with the best zinger or a viral tweet often gets top billing. He insists he won’t change. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

Michael Bennet banking on moderation in age of Trump

August 19, 2019 - 11:35 am

The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet is running for president as the ultimate anti-Donald Trump, betting that a cool-headed approach to politics will be a welcome change to voters sick of the chaos from the White House.

But with the energy in the Democratic Party radiating from the left and the president shouting from the right, Bennet's journey has been lonely.

Before Bennet can be taken seriously as the challenger to Trump, he must emerge from a field of two dozen other Democratic hopefuls, including a cluster that shares his pragmatic approach. Even some of Bennet's supporters are skeptical he can break through.

Bennet's heard this kind of thing before. He says voters want to know if he's tough enough to go up against Trump. And he says he is.